Almost time to take a look at Angels, Dodgers

Now that major-league players are back on ballfields again, the serious scrutiny of the various franchises' 2010 hopes will begin.

Then, there are my irreverent looks at a handful of clubs. Next week, the Angels and Dodgers come into the same focus used earlier to examine the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers and Mariners, and their possible shortcomings.

There was going to be a spoof on the Athletics, too, but then I decided ... who cares?

Dodgers pitchers and catchers report Sunday, with the full squad due in Feb. 26. Based on their exciting offseason, highlighted by The Divorce Wars between Frank and Jamie McCourt, their fans must be thrilled.

Relax, Blue Crew: Jamey Carroll will make it all better. He's from Evansville, like Don Mattingly. The comparisons stop there, but Carroll really is a useful infielder who might end up playing a lot of second base.

The burning question on the Angels -- besides the proverbial, when does the big bat get here? -- centers at third base, where Brandon Wood finally should get a chance to prove himself, since he's out of options and Chone Figgins is in Seattle. Then again, Maicer Izturis can play third base, and the Angels still can't cut the cord with Robb Quinlan.

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